Story 264: "Silver Cornet" by Bonetree

[wendelah1]

Is anyone in The X-Files fandom still reading this journal? If not, it's my own fault. I can't believe I let three months go by without posting a new story. (This is why having a co-mod would be helpful. Any volunteers?)

True confession: I never thought I would be saying this but my enthusiasm for the series has flagged following the huge letdown of season ten. I finished my season seven re-watch back in February (around the time I posted "Parabiosis," in fact) and I still haven't cracked open the brand new Blu-ray case for season eight. Well, I'm done wallowing in misery. Yes, season ten was even worse than I'd anticipated, but that doesn't negate what I loved about the original series. And, it certainly doesn't cancel out the great fanfiction. If anything, we need fic more than ever. (Is anyone working on an AU for season ten? Because we need one and we need it TODAY.)

Since most of what's sitting in the nomination queue is novel length, I decided to pick something from the Ten Greatest Fanfictions post. I chose "Silver Cornet" for two reasons: (1.) We haven't discussed much of anything by Bonetree, which is a huge oversight, and (2.) I've never read "Silver Cornet."

Silver Cornet (22641 words) by Bonetree
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully

SUMMARY: Set just after "Je Souhaite," Mulder and Scully take a ride on a mysterious train that's carrying more secrets than either can imagine.

The link is to AO3 so if you like the fic, you can hit the kudos button, even if you don't come back and leave a comment here. However, I'd love to know what you think of "Silver Cornet." Heck, now that there's a little bit of distance, I'd love to hear your thoughts on season ten. Don't forget to leave your suggestions for next time.

EDIT: The versions at AO3 and Gossamer are missing chapter four. Thanks to the sharp eyes and fic-finding skills of drodrey, we have a complete version via the Internet Archive.

Read the complete Silver Cornet via the Wayback Machine.

Comments

[wendelah1]

She made an...interesting choice by beginning with the sex and relationship scenes. The archive date at Gossamer is September, 2005, so it was written at least a couple of years after the series ended. Regardless of what Chris Carter wants us to think in 2016, it is fair to say that this ship was made canon no later than the end of season seven. However, in "Requiem," while Scully does come to his bed, it is clear that they have been maintaining at least the appearance of separate sleeping quarters while on duty. I just rewatched "Requiem" recently, so I know Mulder looks surprised when Scully shows up at his door, though he is quick to welcome her in. Maybe that's why it took me aback for them to be sleeping together and having sex while they're investigating a case. It doesn't feel in character and it doesn't add anything important to the story. Mulder and Scully were emotionally involved long before they were romantically involved. We already know that Mulder would literally go to the ends of the earth to save Scully. (We know, too, that the only thing Mulder can't believe in is God.) The thing is, if they're supposed to be looking for something suspicious on board the train, why aren't they doing that? They took the case--they should be working the case. Scully at the least should be worrying about that end of things, even if they do have sex.

It was well-written to be sure. I like many of the details she uses: Scully having a hard time leaving the shade up while making love, as an example.

How could she say what she felt like she could do? That she could finally feel for him what she had all this time, and show him those feelings, do with him what she'd always wanted to do?

Always? Really, Scully? It feels like the writer is reducing what they are to one another to the completion of the sex act. Am I supposed to believe they didn't know how they felt about one another before they fucked? That everything that had happened before was somehow less meaningful? Come on, people. If there is one thing we can all agree on, surely it's that sexuality doesn't define the Mulder/Scully relationship. It's about so much more than that.

Probably what I like best about the story is that it takes Mulder and Scully working together to save the world--and that in doing so, they have to break the unwritten rules of their partnership. Mulder has to be willing to let Scully go so that she can stand up to the Evil that has been watching him since season two's "The Calusari." Scully uses the power she gained from looking at the Angel of God in "All Souls" to wage spiritual warfare against Kever. As Father McCue explained, "To look upon the Seraphim in all his glory is to give up one’s soul to heaven." I love these carefully plotted callbacks to canon. Having the action take place on a train car seems inevitable given how many other significant events occur on them throughout the series. The way Bonetree successfully marries these disparate views of the war between Good and Evil into her story is effective and moving.

Once the missing fourth chapter got slotted back into place, the story made much more sense. I thought the pacing was fine, although I could have done with less hurt/comfort and Mulder torture in favor of longer descriptions of the action sequence at the end. Overall, I thought this was an original and successful story.

[keslei]

Maybe that's why it took me aback for them to be sleeping together and having sex while they're investigating a case. It doesn't feel in character and it doesn't add anything important to the story...The thing is, if they're supposed to be looking for something suspicious on board the train, why aren't they doing that? They took the case--they should be working the case.

I completely agree. This is one thing that irked me about this story (for the record, I'm a shipper, but not when it feels forced and out of character). I could happily have done without that aspect of this fic.